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Language and Brain Development

A child's brain is amazing.  It is a learning machine where development depends on the loving responses they receive.

The First Year: A baby's brain needs love to develop.
National Geographic Magazine 

Responding to your child's babbling with a touch or caress is a way to "Serve and Return."  Po Bronson's and Ashley Merryman's book, Nurture Shock, has an incredible chapter on Language Development called "Why Hannah Talks and Alyssa Doesn't".  This is not to be missed, see the hand out in class.

Reading to your child can be a magical experience that can deepen your bond for each other.  It also promotes intelligence.  You should plan to do this with your child even when they grow older.

Can Reading Make You Smarter?

 Study Finds Reading to Children of All Ages Grooms Them to Read More on Their Own

Extra: A Perspective aired on KQED about "Investing in Reading" by a dad, who I adore.  This was intended to be heard, so I recommend listening to the audio instead of reading it.

BOOK CLUB
This semester's book is Dan Siegel's and Mary Hartzell's Parenting From The Inside Out.  Please pick up a copy. The first reading assignment will be given in the next class.

 Consider This:
What do you intend to do differently to encourage language and brain development?

Come join me and your fellow classmate, Eliza, on March 1st at the Asian Art Museum for a free family event.

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